Findings, declaration

1. The Legislature finds that equipment in facilities regulated by the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," P.L.1954, c.212, may malfunction or fail to perform optimally, even when carefully maintained and operated; that violations of the act may occur due to an unforeseeable and unavoidable malfunction, during equipment start-up or shut-down, or during necessary equipment maintenance due to the inherently intricate nature of mechanical equipment; and that these violations should not be accorded penalties as long as any resulting air emission causes no potential threat to the public health, welfare or the environment. The Legislature therefore finds and declares that it is the policy of this State to protect the public health, welfare and the environment, to promote the careful operation and maintenance of equipment in facilities regulated by the "Air Pollution Control Act (1954)," and to reduce the unnecessary burden of monetary penalties for violations caused by a non-recurring equipment malfunction, equipment start-up, or equipment shut-down or during necessary equipment maintenance by providing an affirmative defense to liability for penalties when a facility is operated and maintained carefully, when all reasonable steps are taken to minimize emission levels caused by a violation, and when the emissions do not cause a potential threat to the public health, welfare or the environment.